Plant Operator III - Wastewater

Plant Operator III - Wastewater

Salary

$27.23 - $44.12 Hourly

Location

5600 Warren Street, Naples, FL

Job Type

Full Time, Regular

Job Number

10090

Department

Public Utilities Department

Division

Wastewater

Opening Date

05/22/2026

Closing Date

7/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Pay Grade

CCG254

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

Collier County strives to be an employer of choice, and many of our employees build long-term careers with us. The salary listed in the job description reflects the full pay range for this position, from entry level through advanced career stages.

NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.

Step into a high skill role that keeps Collier County's communities healthy, sustainable, and future ready. As a Plant Operator III, you'll take the lead in operating and optimizing advanced wastewater treatment systems that produce high quality reclaimed water and protect our environment.

This is a role for experienced operators ready to elevate their technical expertise and leadership. You'll work hands on with complex treatment processes, SCADA monitoring, troubleshooting, lab testing, and regulatory compliance-playing a direct part in the reliability and performance of daily plant operations.

Collier County invests in your growth with ongoing training, certification support, and clear pathways for advancement. Expect stability, competitive pay, and the chance to make a meaningful difference in your community.

If you're driven, skilled, and ready for the next step in your career, the Plant Operator III position offers the challenge, purpose, and professional development you're looking for.

Essential Functions

Plant Operations, Process Control & Compliance

• Operate, monitor, and adjust wastewater treatment plant systems and processes through SCADA/computerized control systems and field inspections.
• Monitor plant performance including flow rates, chemical feed systems, pumps, lift stations, clarifiers, aeration basins, filters, sludge systems, and odor control systems.
• Perform operational adjustments to maintain compliance with treatment standards, permit requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Collect wastewater samples and performs routine laboratory testing and analysis to monitor treatment performance and compliance.
• Record and maintain operational data, laboratory results, meter readings, chemical usage, maintenance activities, and operational documentation.
• Assist with preparation of operational and regulatory reports for submission to applicable agencies.
• Respond to alarms, emergency situations, operational upsets, and system failures as needed.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, departmental, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, plant operations, laboratory procedures, safety practices, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of SCADA systems, chemical feed systems, pumps, motors, valves, instrumentation, and related wastewater treatment equipment.
• Ability to monitor plant operations, analyze system performance, and make operational adjustments necessary to maintain treatment efficiency and regulatory compliance.

Maintenance & Equipment Responsibilities

• Conduct routine inspections to identify equipment malfunctions, leaks, process issues, safety concerns, and maintenance needs.
• Start, stop, regulate, and assist in troubleshooting plant equipment including pumps, motors, blowers, valves, electrical systems, telemetry systems, chemical feed systems, and related treatment equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance and minor repairs on plant equipment, instrumentation, and operational systems.
• Coordinate or assist with plant shutdowns, maintenance projects, contractor activities, and work orders as assigned.
• Clean and maintain plant facilities, grounds, tools, equipment, and work areas.
• Maintain inventory of chemicals, tools, supplies, and operational materials.
• Ability to troubleshoot operational, mechanical, and process-related issues and exercise sound judgment in emergency and non-routine situations.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations related to treatment processes, chemical usage, flow rates, and operational data.
• Ability to safely work in indoor and outdoor environments with exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, odors, chemicals, hazardous materials, confined spaces, and wastewater treatment processes.
• Ability to climb, bend, lift up to 50 pounds, and properly use respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment.

Leadership, Communication & Coordination

• Assist with coordinating daily shift operations, scheduling, overtime coordination, and work assignments.
• Provide guidance, training, and support to plant personnel as needed.
• Promote and maintain a safe work environment and participates in safety training and inspections.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and maintain effective working relationships with staff, contractors, regulatory personnel, and the public.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and coordinate daily operational activities in a team environment.
• Ability to work various shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and respond to emergency call-outs as required.

Equipment Operated

Operate various plant and maintenance equipment including pumps, motors, valves, blowers, forklifts, loaders, generators, laboratory instruments, SCADA systems, chemical feed systems, hand and power tools, and other equipment associated with wastewater treatment operations.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments with exposure to varying weather conditions, noise, odors, chemicals, hazardous materials, confined spaces, and wastewater treatment processes. Duties may require climbing, bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, and use of respiratory protection and other personal protective equipment.

Emergency Response

This position is designated as essential personnel and may be required to work during declared or undeclared emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED* required.
• Three (3) years of related experience.
• Fingerprinting required.
• General Educational Development (GEDs) must be issued by the American Council on Education through an approved GED Administrator. For Florida the approved GED Administrator would be the Florida Department of Education (public schools or adult education centers).

LICENSES/CERTIFICATES

• If assigned to Wastewater:
• Must possess and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class B Wastewater Treatment license.

Supplemental information

Salary offers above the minimum pay grade may be considered based on qualifications.

Essential Employees may be required to work during an undeclared or declared emergency. The County's Administrative Office will determine who will be required to work on an incident-by-incident basis.

This job posting is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position.

Collier County BCC offers a variety of benefits to both regular full and part-time

employees. For information, click here to view the comprehensive benefits package we have to offer when you join our team.

01

APPLICANT NOTICE: Your answers below will be used to review this application. The experience listed here MUST match the work history provided in your application. Please note, it is not acceptable to use "See Resume" or "See Above" in your answers below and we do not accept resumes as a substitute for a completed application.

• I understand and agree with the statements above.
• I do not agree with the statements above.

02

Do you possess a High School Diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess three (3) years of related experience that includes wastewater treatment plant operations and equipment maintenance?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess and maintain a Florida Department of Environmental Protection Class B Wastewater Treatment License?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess the ability to determine, calculate, tabulate, and/or summarize data, including performing subsequent actions in relation to these computational operations?

• Yes
• No

06

Do you possess the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you possess the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you willing to work various shifts including weekends and holidays?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you willing to work overtime?

• Yes
• No

10

Do you possess a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Collier County

Address Human Resources Division

3303 East Tamiami Trail East

Naples, Florida, 34112

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/collier/default.cfm